Secretary of State Marco Rubio has delivered an ultimatum on Ukraine-Russia peace talks: progress within days or the Trump administration walks away.
Quick Takes
- Rubio warned the U.S. may abandon peace efforts between Ukraine and Russia if no progress is made within days, not weeks
- Trump administration is pursuing a mineral resources deal with Ukraine alongside peace negotiations
- Paris talks showed some progress, with a crucial follow-up meeting scheduled in London next week
- Rubio emphasized that “it’s not our war” and that America has “other priorities to focus on”
- Russia continues deadly strikes on Ukrainian cities despite ongoing peace discussions
Trump Administration Sets Deadline for Peace Efforts
Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a clear message from the Trump administration regarding Ukraine-Russia peace negotiations: time is running out. Speaking to reporters in Paris following talks with Ukrainian and European officials, Rubio stated that progress must be made “within a matter of days,” or the U.S. will likely withdraw from its leading role in peace efforts. This ultimatum marks a significant shift in approach compared to the previous administration and signals President Trump’s growing impatience with the prolonged conflict that has raged since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
“We are now reaching a point where we need to decide whether this is even possible or not. Because if it’s not, then I think we’re just going to move on,” Rubio stated firmly. He added: “It’s not our war. We have other priorities to focus on.” This stance aligns with President Trump’s campaign promise to swiftly end the conflict, which he has described as “terrible and senseless” and claimed would never have occurred under his administration. A decisive meeting is expected this week in London to determine whether the U.S. will continue leading peace efforts.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio: "The Ukraine war is a terrible thing but it's not our war…The president has spent 87 days at the highest level of his government, repeatedly taking efforts to bring this war to an end. We are now reaching a point where we need to decide and… pic.twitter.com/ibwLh5Q950
— Mr Producer (@RichSementa) April 18, 2025
Mineral Resources Deal Hangs in Balance
Beyond the peace negotiations, the U.S. and Ukraine are reportedly nearing an agreement that would give America access to Ukraine’s valuable mineral resources. This potential deal underscores the complex economic interests intertwined with the diplomatic efforts to end the war. Ukraine possesses significant deposits of rare earth minerals crucial for advanced technology and defense applications – resources that have become increasingly strategic as global powers compete for supply chain security. The mineral agreement appears to be progressing in parallel with the peace talks.
Despite the ultimatum, Rubio characterized the recent Paris talks as constructive, noting there were no rejections or walkouts from any parties involved. European allies, including the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, are viewed as helpful partners in the negotiations. Vice President JD Vance has also expressed optimism about ending the war during separate discussions in Rome, though European leaders remain concerned about the Trump administration’s relationship to Russia.
Battlefield Reality Complicates Negotiations
As diplomatic efforts continue, the situation on the ground remains dire. Russia has continued deadly strikes on Ukrainian cities, with recent attacks in Sumy and Kharkiv causing civilian casualties. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that Russia poses a threat not only to Ukrainian democracy but also to NATO territories. These ongoing hostilities create a challenging backdrop for peace discussions and raise questions about whether Russia is genuinely interested in a negotiated settlement.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has maintained that “Russia is striving toward resolving this conflict, securing its own interests, and is open to dialogue.” However, President Trump has reportedly expressed frustration with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy over their approaches to the negotiations. Behind the scenes, Trump envoy Steve Witkoff has been meeting with Putin while Rubio has led formal diplomatic efforts, highlighting the administration’s multi-track approach to ending the conflict.
